Switching mechanism for electrical devices

Abstract

The present invention concerns a switching mechanism for electrical devices where the operations of each device are controlled by turning the page-like switches of the mechanism in a manner similar to turning the pages of a book. A preferred embodiment of the invention concerns an integral telephone and telephone answering machine.

We claim: 
     
       1. A switching mechanism for an electronic device having a plurality of operations comprising a plurality of actuating members each specific for the selection of an operation of the device, each operation having a plurality of functions and each connected to a switch means for selecting the operation of the device, each actuating member having the appearance of a page, and being constructed, configured and dimensioned to actuate the switch means from a non-operating to an operating condition upon the turning of each member in a manner which simulates the turning of a page of a book, each switch means being connected to and actuating a functional switch means which controls functions of operations of the device, each functional switch means being connected to and controlling a plurality of functional switch actuating means. 
     
     
       2. The switching mechanism of claim 1 wherein the electronic device comprises a telephone. 
     
     
       3. The switching mechanism of claim 1 wherein the electronic device comprises a telephone answering machine. 
     
     
       4. The switching mechanism of claim 1 wherein the electronic device comprises an integral telephone and telephone answering machine. 
     
     
       5. A switching mechanism for an integral telephone and telephone answering machine comprising a plurality of actuating members having the appearance of a page, each member including a front face and a back face, the members being constructed, configured and dimensioned to actuate a switch means upon the turning of each member in a manner which simulates the turning of a page of a book, a first switch means being connected to a telephone and a second switch means being connected to a telephone answering machine. 
     
     
       6. The switching mechanism of claim 5 wherein the first switch means is connected to a functional switch means which controls the functions of the telephone and the second switch means is connected to a functional switch means which controls the functions of the telephone answering machine. 
     
     
       7. The switching mechanism of claim 6 wherein the faces of the actuating member which actuates the first switch means contain readable indicia concerning the functions of the telephone and the faces of the actuating member which actuates the second switch means contain readable indicia concerning the functions of the telephone answering machine. 
     
     
       8. The switching mechanism of claim 1, wherein the actuating members contain readable indicia.